Lane Highbarger, Ph.D. worked for 26 years in the food additive regulatory and compliance field with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), serving as lead microbiologist in FDA's Office of Food Additive Safety (OFAS). He is also an expert in food additive regulations and served as the regulatory review scientist for regulatory submissions at OFAS. Dr. Highbarger holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and a B.S. degree in Microbiology, both from the University of Maryland.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Dr. Highbarger [23:58] about:

• His previous work at FDA's Office of Food Additive Safety and how his area of work is important to food safety
• His thoughts on what effect the Trump administration's FDA workforce cuts will have on the agency's ability to ensure safe food for consumers
• What the future of chemical safety work looks like at FDA now, in light of the changes and FDA's newly established risk management "pillars"
• His thoughts on FDA's approach to fast-tracking approval of new food dyes and chemicals so that other chemicals considered "harmful" can be phased out
• What role he sees science playing in the new administration's approach to food safety policy.

News and Resources

California Bill Would Remove Ultra-Processed Foods from School Lunches [2:12]

ECDC: Europe Saw Record-High Levels of STEC and Listeria Infections in 2023 [9:21]

Research Reveals Drop in AMR Bacteria Levels During Poultry Processing [18:35]

STOP Foodborne Illness Opens Nominations for '40 Under 40' Program [22:16]

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Kye Luker serves as the Chief Product Officer at FlexXray, where he leads the development of the company's innovative X-ray inspection process and technology. With over two decades of experience in the service, CPG, food, and beverage industries, Kye brings a wealth of knowledge in continuous improvement, quality assurance, and formulations to his role.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Mr. Luker [1:15] about:

• Why foreign material (FM) contamination is a major challenge for food processors, and how processors have tried to control FM to date
• How external X-ray inspection services can assist companies in responding to an FM contamination event
• How FlexXray helps fill gaps in inspection programs with innovative technologies
• How external X-ray inspection services are different from in-house inspection systems
• How companies are leaning on external inspection services in innovative ways
• The ways in which X-ray inspection technology is evolving, and the trends in supplier requirements for X-ray inspection
• New and exciting developments happening at FlexXray, and how these technology advances can help processors better assure food safety.
  

Resources

FlexXray® Foreign Material X-Ray Inspection Services

Sponsored by:

FlexXray

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Christopher R. Daubert, Ph.D., serves as the President of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and as the Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri (Mizzou), as well as a Professor in the Division of Food Systems and Bioengineering. He joined Mizzou from North Carolina State University, where he served as a Professor and Head of the Department of Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Services; Director of the Food Rheology Laboratory; and system Co-Chair of Food, Biochemical, and Engineered Systems. His research explained the physical chemistry, molecular-level interactions, and functionality of food systems through an understanding of rheological behavior, while solving problems facing the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Dr. Daubert has received distinguished alumnus awards from Pennsylvania State University and Michigan State University. He is also a Fellow of IFT and previously served IFT as chair of the Food Engineering Division and a member-at-large of the Dogwood section. He holds a B.S. degree in Agricultural Engineering from Penn State University, a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering and Food Science from Michigan State University, and a Post-Doctorate in Food Science from North Carolina State University.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Dr. Daubert [23:34] about:

• The challenges and opportunities for attracting students to food science and other food-related academic programs
• The value of an education in food science
• The role the food industry plays in food science education
• The complex food system challenges that today’s students—tomorrow's workforce—can help address
• Dr. Daubert’s work at Mizzou in promoting food science education
• How IFT helps prepare students to contribute to the global food community upon graduation.

News
USDA Secretary Rollins Increases Funding to Reimburse States for Food Safety Inspections [3:34]
Senator Cotton Introduces Bill to Consolidate Federal Food Safety Agencies [6:38]
MAHA Report Sets Stage for Overhaul of Food Chemicals, Environmental Contaminants, and Childhood Nutrition [10:18]
Mars Removes Titanium Dioxide from Skittles in the United States [21:41]

Sponsored by:

CINTAS

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Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com